The Chinese New Year Gala, 2015

A selection of songs from the China Central TV Gala, Beijing TV (BTV), Hunan TV, and more ...

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Chinese New Year (CNY), also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday in China, marking the beginning of the lunar new year. It is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world, as well as in other East Asian countries such as Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Here's an overview of Chinese New Year and its traditions:

Timing and Duration:
Lunar Calendar: Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, with the date falling between late January and mid-February each year. The exact date varies because it is based on the lunar phases.

Festival Period: The celebrations typically last for 15 days, beginning on the eve of Chinese New Year and ending with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the lunar calendar.

Traditions and Customs:
Family Reunions: Chinese New Year is a time for families to come together and celebrate. Many people travel long distances to reunite with their relatives, leading to the largest annual human migration in the world, known as Chunyun.

Cleaning and Decoration: In the days leading up to Chinese New Year, families clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and make way for good fortune. They also decorate their homes with red lanterns, couplets (duilian), and paper cutouts featuring auspicious symbols.

Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner: The New Year's Eve dinner, known as 'reunion dinner' (??? tu�nni�nf�n), is a lavish feast shared with family members. Traditional dishes include fish (symbolizing prosperity), dumplings (symbolizing wealth), and various other symbolic foods.

Red Envelopes (Hongbao): Red envelopes containing money are given as gifts during Chinese New Year, especially to children and unmarried individuals. The red color symbolizes good luck and wards off evil spirits.

Fireworks and Firecrackers: Fireworks and firecrackers are set off at midnight on New Year's Eve and throughout the festival period to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck.

Lion and Dragon Dances: Colorful lion and dragon dances are performed in streets, parks, and public squares to bring prosperity and good fortune to communities.

Zodiac Animals:
Each Year is Associated with an Animal: Chinese New Year is symbolized by one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac cycle. Each animal is believed to influence the personality traits and destiny of individuals born in that year.

Travel and Celebrations:
Spring Festival Gala: The Spring Festival Gala, broadcasted on Chinese television on New Year's Eve, features a variety of performances, skits, and musical acts. It is one of the most-watched television programs in the world.

Temple Fairs: Traditional temple fairs are held throughout China during Chinese New Year, offering food stalls, performances, games, and cultural activities for visitors to enjoy.

Chinese New Year is a time of joy, reunion, and renewal, filled with rich traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations. It is a celebration of family, community, and the arrival of spring, marking a fresh beginning and the promise of prosperity in the year ahead.

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Awesome, beautiful China 中国 Celebrating 70 years of the People’s Republic …

Don't miss it ... 00:06 北京故宫千秋亭 (Beijing Forbidden City, QianQiu Pavilion) 00:12 紫禁城 (Forbidden city) 00:19 甘肃嘉峪关 (Gansu Jiayuguan) 00:29 中国台湾竹林山观音寺 (Guanyin Temple, Zhulin Mountain, Taiwan, China) 00:37 江苏无锡灵山大佛 (Jiangsu Wuxi Lingshan Buddha) 00:46 四川稻城白塔 (Sichuan Daocheng Baita) 00:50 山西太原蒙山大佛 (Mengshan Buddha, Taiyuan, Shanxi) 01:11 四川巴塘措普湖 (Sichuan Batang Thomp Lake) 01:20 云南泸沽湖里格半岛 (Yunnan Lihu Peninsula) 01:29 西藏羊卓雍措 (Tibet Yangzhuo) 01:37 河南王屋山 (Henan Wangwushan) 01:42 江西庐山 (Jiangxi Lushan) 01:47 江西婺源 (Jiangxi Wuyuan) 01:51 湖南张家界 (Zhangjiajie, Hunan) 01:59 四川那玛峰 (Naama Peak, Sichuan) 02:13 乌鲁木齐天格尔峰 (Urumqi Tiangle Peak) 02:22 四川雅哈垭口 (Sichuan Yaha Pass) 02:34 杭州西湖曲院风荷 (Hangzhou West Lake Quyuan Fenghe) 02:43 江西新余 (Jiangxi Xinyu) 02:47 广西桂林 (Guilin) 02:58 湖北武汉东湖 (Wuhan East Lake, Hubei) 03:03 海南三亚海上观音 (Hainan Sanya Sea Goddess of Mercy) 03:07 贵州千户苗寨 (Guizhou Qianhu Miao Village) 03:12 浙江宁波 (Ningbo, Zhejiang) 03:16 南京美龄宫 (Nanjing Meiling Palace) 03:20 上海 (Shanghai) 03:24 江苏苏州 (Suzhou, Jiangsu) 03:28 广东广州 (Guangzhou, Guangdong) 03:33 中国香港 (Hong Kong, China) 03:38 中国澳门 (Macao, China) 03:40 北京三里屯 (Beijing Sanlitun) 03:41 宁夏银川鼓楼 (Ningxia Yinchuan Drum Tower) 03:44 黑龙江哈尔滨大教堂 (Harbin Cathedral, Heilongjiang Province) 03:46 云南昆明官渡古镇 (Guandu Ancient Town, Kunming, Yunnan) 03:48 广东广州中山纪念堂 (Zhongshan Memorial Hall, Guangzhou, Guangdong) 03:51 天津小白楼 (Tianjin Xiaobai Building) 03:53 湖北襄阳唐城 (Tangyang City, Hubei Province) 03:55 安徽歙县 (Yixian County, Anhui Province) 03:59 吉林长白山天池 (Jilin Changbai Mountain Tianchi) 04:04 湖南张家界武陵源 (Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie, Hunan) 04:12 重庆潼南 (Chongqing Weinan) 04:15 北京大兴机场 (Beijing Daxing Airport) 04:17 青海昆仑眼 (Qinghai Kunlun Eye) 04:19 南海三沙蓝洞 (Nansha Sansha Blue Cave) 04:21 上海陆家嘴环路 (Shanghai Lujiazui Ring Road) 04:23 陕西西安钟楼 (Xi'an Bell Tower, Shaanxi) 04:25 重庆洪崖洞 (Chongqing Hongyadong) 04:27 山西临汾华门 (Linyi Huamen, Shanxi) 04:30 陕西雨岔大陕谷 (Shaanxi Rainy Dashan Valley) 04:32 新疆开都河 (Kaidu River, Xinjiang) 04:34 新疆伊犁新源 (Xinjiang Yili Xinyuan) 04:36 云南文山普者黑 (Yunnan Wenshan Puzhehei) 04:39 新疆昌吉江布拉克 (Xinjiang Changji River Braque) 04:41 浙江台州大陈岛荧光海 (Fluorescent Sea, Dachen Island, Taizhou, Zhejiang) 04:43 新疆禾木 (Xinjiang Hemu) 04:46 安徽黄山 (Anhui Huangshan) 04:48 安徽休宁县 (Xiuning County, Anhui Province) 04:49 江西武功山 (Jiangxi Wugong Mountain) 04:50 福建厦门 (Fujian Xiamen) 04:51 福建土楼 (Fujian Tulou) 04:52 甘肃七彩丹霞 (Gansu colorful Danxia) 04:53 甘肃敦煌月牙泉 (Gansu Dunhuang Crescent Spring) 04:54 贵州黄果树瀑布 (Guizhou Huangguoshu Waterfall) 04:55 贵州贵阳 (Guiyang, Guizhou) 04:56 贵州FAST天眼望远镜 (Guizhou FAST sky telescope) 04:58 广东汕尾凤山妈祖像 (Guangdong Shanwei Fengshan Mazu statue) 04:59 广东惠州汉月湾 (Huizhou Hanyue Bay, Guangdong) 05:00 广东南沙大桥 (Guangdong Nansha Bridge) 05:01 广东广州中轴线 (Guangdong Guangzhou Central axis) 05:02 广东深圳华润总部 (Guangdong Shenzhen China Resources Headquarters) 05:03 广东深圳机场 (Guangdong Shenzhen Airport) 05:04 湖北武汉长江 (Wuhan Yangtze River, Hubei) 05:05 湖北武汉黄鹤楼 (Yellow Crane Tower, Wuhan, Hubei) 05:06 湖北武汉东湖樱园 (Wuhan East Lake Sakura Garden, Hubei) 05:07 湖北长阳天柱山 (Tianzhu Mountain, Changyang, Hubei) 05:08 湖北荆州古城 (Ancient city of Jingzhou, Hubei) 05:10 宁夏中华黄河楼 (Ningxia Zhonghua Yellow River Building) 05:11 河南老君山 (Laojun Mountain, Henan) 05:12 河南龙门石窟 (Longmen Grottoes, Henan) 05:13 黑龙江哈尔滨冰雪大世界 (Harbin Ice and Snow World in Heilongjiang Province) 05:14 黑龙江大庆芍药花海 (Heilongjiang Daqing peony flower sea) 05:15 湖南长沙大剧院 (Hunan Changsha Grand Theatre) 05:16 湖南凤凰古镇 (Fenghuang Ancient Town, Hunan) 05:17 吉林集安 (Jilin Ji'an) 05:18 辽宁沈阳 (Shenyang, Liaoning) 05:20 辽宁大连星海湾大桥 (Dalian Xinghai Bay Bridge, Liaoning) 05:21 辽宁大连长兴岛 (Changxing Island, Dalian, Liaoning) 05:22 江苏扬州瘦西湖 (Slender West Lake, Yangzhou, Jiangsu) 05:23 江苏苏州十里斜塘 (Suzhou Shili Liantang) 05:24 江苏南京灵谷寺萤火虫 (Fireflies in Linggu Temple, Nanjing, Jiangsu) 05:25 江苏南京平流雾 (Nanjing Nanjing River) 05:26 广西柳州 (Liuzhou, Guangxi) 05:27 广西桂林相公山 (Xianggong Mountain, Guilin, Guangxi) 05:28 广西德天瀑布 (Guangxi Detian Waterfall) 05:29 广西百色福禄河 (Guangxi Baise Fulu River) 05:30 青海格尔木河 (Qinghai Golmud River) 05:32 青海俄博梁 (Qinghai Russian Boliang) 05:33 青海哈拉湖 (Qinghai Lake Hala) 05:34 青海湖 (Qinghai Lake)

ShangHai drive

A taste of China at home : Chilli Oil

Introduction: Chili oil is a versatile and flavorful condiment widely used in Chinese cuisine, particularly in SiChuan and HuNan dishes. It adds heat, depth and aroma to a variety of dishes, from noodles and stir-fries to dumplings and marinades. Making chili oil at home allows you to customize the flavors and heat level to your preference, and it's surprisingly simple to prepare, with just a few key ingredients. Ingredients: A neutral Oil: Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil, grape-seed oil, or peanut oil. This will serve as the base for the chili oil and carry the flavors of the aromatics and spices. Dried Chilies: Use dried chili peppers of your choice, such as Chinese facing-heaven chilies, Thai bird's eye chilies, or arbol chilies; but any will be fine. Adjust the quantity based on your preferred level of heat. If whole dried chilies, crumble into flakes. Some sliced fresh chilis can also be included. Sichuan Peppercorns: Optional but highly recommended for authentic Sichuan flavor. Sichuan peppercorns add a citrusy, floral aroma and a distinctive numbing sensation to the chili oil. Can be bought at a Chinese grocery store or online. Aromatics: Garlic, ginger, and scallions are common aromatics used in chili oil. They add depth and complexity to the flavor profile. Spices: Optional spices such as star anise and cloves can be added for additional flavor and complexity. Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the chili oil. Method: Prepare the Ingredients: If using whole dried chilies, remove the stems and cut or tear them into smaller pieces. Peel and slice the garlic and ginger. Cut the scallions into small pieces. Infuse the oil: In a saucepan or skillet, heat the neutral oil over low to medium heat. Add the dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns (if using), garlic, ginger, plus any optional spices. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the aromatics are fragrant and slightly golden, about 10-15 minutes. Cool the oil: Remove the pan from the heat and let the oil cool. This allows the flavors to infuse into the oil. Strain the oil: Once the oil has cooled, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container. Storage: In an airtight container, store the chili oil in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator for longer shelf life. Tips: Adjust the quantity of dried chilies and SiChuan peppercorns to your preferred level of heat and numbing sensation. Experiment with different aromatics and spices to customize the flavor of your chili oil. A little sesame oil can be added at the end to further enhance the flavor and aroma of the chili oil. Toasted sesame oil, in particular, adds a rich, nutty flavor that complements the spices and aromatics. Be careful not to overheat the oil, as this can cause the aromatics and spices to burn and develop off-flavors. Enjoy your homemade chili oil drizzled over noodles, stir-fries, dumplings, or any dish that could use a spicy kick and aromatic depth! Give some to your friends and relatives : )

WangJing 望京 Galaxy SOHO, BeiJing

Posted in respect to Iraq born architect Zaha Hadid, who sadly died today (31st March 2016). Galaxy SOHO opened in November 2011 as an office, retail and entertainment complex. An excellent example of a unique perspective, this building, in north east Beijing, with characteristic natural forms and curves, with futuristic outlook, opened in 2014. Her talent and bold vision will be missed by everyone. Thank you Zaha for all you did to help make this world a better place ...